Automatic carton sealing machine



Aug. 3, 1937. E. B. voss AUTOMATIC CARTON SEALING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 20, 1936 Flt/MIR 755s INVENTOR.

' 1937- E. B. voss 2,089,010

AUTOMATIC CARTON SEALING MACHINE Filed May 20, 1936 I 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 FimerfiLI oss IN V EN TOR.

A TTOR E. B. voss 2,039,010

AUTOMATIC CARTON SEALING MACHINE Filed May 20,.1956 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Aug. 3, 1937.

Em m M m E 1 m mH Aug. 3, 1937. E. B. voss AUTOMATIC CARTON SEALING MACHINE Filed May 20, i936 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 l'lmerDWss INVENTOR, BY M 7 ATTORNEYS.

8- 1937- E. B. voss 2,089,010

AUTOMATIC CARTON SEALING MACHINE Filed May 20, 1956 5 Sheets$heet 5 ElmerBJ bu INVENTOR.

By Mr ATTO EYS.

, Patented Aug. 3, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

2,089,010 AUTOMATIC CARTON SEALING MACHINE Elmer B. Voss, Alton, IlL, assignor to Owens-Illinois Glass Company, a corporation of Ohio Application May 2o, 1936, Serial No. 80,827

6 Claims. (01. 93-2) 5 or folding top closures which are united by any of various'adhesives, although the principles of the invention are, with or without modification,

applicable to other uses and the apparatus may,

if desired, be employed for sealing other types of cartons.

The principal object of the invention is to pro- 7 vide a carton-sealing apparatusdesigned to receive cartons of varying size atoneend thereof and which will, without modification or adjustment of the apparatus, convey the cartons through the machine and by the application of pressure to the tops of the cartons, secure the tops against movement relative to 'the cartons during setting of the adhesive, and effectively seal the same, and thereafter'discharge the cartons at the other end thereof in permanently sealed condition.

It is another object of the invention to provide a carton sealing apparatus in which the pressure applied to the tops of the cartons for the purpose of sealing the same is uniform and evenly applied and does not vary when cartons of difierent sizes are fed to the apparatus, while additionally, the time element involved in the application of pres- 3 sure to the carton tops is maintained substantially constant regardless of the varying size of the cartons. t

Yet another object of the invention is to' provide an apparatus for sealing cartons by the ap-' 335 plication of pressure to the tops thereof inwhich the pressure is applied to and removed from the tops gradually, thus eliminating shock and consequent damage to the cartons 'orto the con-.

tents thereof.

40 The provision of a carton sealing apparatuswhich is comparatively simple in its construction,

being comprised of relatively few moving parts,

yet which is entirely automatic in its operation; one which is rugged and durable and therefore 4 is unlikely to get out of order; and one which factured in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a front view of the machine illustrated I in Fig. '1 and showing the feeding end thereof;

Fig. 3 is a rear view of the machine showing the 5 discharge end thereof; a

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along the line 4-4 of Fig. 3 in the direction indicated by the arrows and confined to the discharge end of the apparatus; 10

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of Fig.4 in the direction indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along the iine 6-4 of Fig. 2 in the direction indicated by the arrows and confined to the receiving end of the apparatus;

Fig. '7 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 1-1 of Fig. 6 in the direction indi-' cated' by the arrows; 2o I Fig. 8 is a top plan View of one of a series of pressure applying elements employed in. connection with the present invention;

' Fig. 9 is a fragmentary front elevation of the" element shown in-Fig. 8; 5

Fig. 10 is a side view of the disclosure made in.Fig.9; and

Fig. ll is a fragmentary sectional view, partially diagrammatic in its representation, taken transverselythrough an endless pressure applying carrier system incorporated in the apparatus.

In all of the above described views, like charactersof reference are employed to designate like parts throughout.

Referring now to Fig. 1, themachine involves in its general organization an endless conveyor assembly designated in its entirety at ID for receiving cartons or other packages. l2 to be sealed and for conveying them through the apparatus. Operatively associated with the con- 40 veyor assembly l0, .and designated in its entirety at I3, is an endless sealing carrier assembly designed for applying pressure to the tops of the moving cartons to seal the same by holding said tops and cartons together during setting of the adhesive as they move through the apparatus on the endless conveyor assembly Ill. The endless conveyor system lliand the endless carrier system l3 (Fig. 1) are mounted in superimposed relationship in astationary supporting structure forming'a part of the machine and consisting of opposed pairs of vertically disposed upper and lower front supporting members l4 and I6 and similarly opposed pairs of upper and lower rear supporting members l8 and 20, one pair of such 56 members being disposed at each corner of the machine. -The members I4, l6, I8 and 28 are in the form of comparatively wide structural plates which are suitably held in position in the machine by means of a plurality of longitudinal and transverse structural members 22 and 24 respectively. A plurality of vertically disposed reinforcing members 28 extend between the longitudinal members 24- at spaced points therealong, the number of such members employed being arbitrary, and depending upon the length of the machine.

The conveyor assembly I8 is preferably of the endless chain and slat type and consists of a plurality of parallel longitudinal chains 28 (see Figs. 4 and 5)., the individual links 38 of which serve to support therebetween a plurality -of transverse conveyor elements 82 or slats upon which the cartons I2 are adapted to be supported and conveyed through the machine.

The conveyor chains 28 are supported at the front end of the-machine upon a plurality of sprockets 34 (see Figs. 6 and '7), corresponding in number to the number of chains 28 employed, and mounted for rotation in unison upon a transverse shaft 38 journaled in bearings 88 (see Fig. 1) suitably supported on the lower front supporting members I8. Similarly, the conveyor chains 28 are supported at the rear of the machine by means of a plurality of sprockets 48 (see Figs. 4 and 5) likewise mounted for rotation in unison upon a transverse shaft 42, journaled in bearing members 44 (see Fig. I), mounted upon the lower rear supporting members 28. A plurality of idler sprockets 48, mounted upon a transverse shaft 48, rotatably carried by the supporting members 28, engage the respective chains 28 adjacent the bottom of the machine and at the rear thereof. Similar idler sprockets 58are carried by a transverse shaft 52 mounted for rotation between the front supporting members I8 adjacent the bottom thereof. These latter sprockets 58 are designed to engage the respective chains 28 and take up any existing play that may 45 be encountered in the conveyor.

Accordingly, the opposite ends of the shaft 52 are rotatably journaled in bearing members 54 which are slidably mounted in guide members 58 carried in any suitable manner by the supporting members I6.

Adjusting screws 58 extend through threaded portions 88 of the guide'members 56 and engage the. bearing members 54 to normally urge the same forwardly and take up any existing play in the conveyor chains 28. In order to support the operative conveying portion of the endless conveyor I8 between the front and rear sprockets 84 and 48 respectively,

' a conveyor table is provided. This table is in the form of a plurality of longitudinally extendin o0 channel-shaped tracks 88 (see Fig. 5) corresponding in number to the number of conveyor chains 28, each individual chain 28 being slidably supported in a corresponding track. In order to support the tracks 88 in operative load- 65 carrying position, a pair of longitudinally extending structural members 18 have their opposite ends supported by the front and rear supporting members I8 and 28 and a plurality of transverse angle pieces12 extendacross the machine immediately below the level of the conveyor top and have their. opposite ends secured to these members 18. The angle pieces 12 support the tracks 88 in spaced relationship in the conveyor assembly I8.

The endless sealing carrier ass'e bly I8 is positioned in the machine directly above the conveyor assembly I8 and has associated therewith endless chains I4 (best illustrated in Figs. 4, 8,

9 and 11), the corresponding individual links I8 of which support .therebetween a plurality of transversely extending guide bars I8. These guide bars 18 are identical in construction and each bar is provided with a pair ofv integrally formed bosses providing guides 88 medially of its ends. Slidably extending through the guides 88 of each guide bar I8 is a pair of guide rods 82, each having enlarged heads 84 at one end thereof. The opposite ends of each pair of guide rods 82 are anchored as at 86 (see Fig. 9) in an elongated pressure member 88. The pressure members 88 or presser bars are in the form of comparatively heavy transversely extending bars designed to engage the tops of the cartons I2 and by their inherent weight, apply sealing pressure thereto in the manner to be more fully described hereinafter.

The endless carrier chains 14 are supported adjacent the rear of the machine upon a. pair of sprockets 88 (see Fig. 4). suitably spaced apart and mounted for rotation in unison on a transversely extending shaft 82 journaled in bearings 94 (see Fig. 1) carried by the upper rear supporting members I8.

The carrier chains I4'are supported adjacent the front of the machine upon a pair of sprockets 88 (see Fig. 7) mounted-in spaced relation for rotation in unison upon a transversely extending shaft 98 journaled at opposite ends in a pair of slidable bearing blocks I88 (see Fig. 1) slidably supported by the upper front supporting members I4. Each bearing block M8 is integrally formed with a longitudinally adjustable guide member or frame I82 (see Figs. 6 and '7) which guide frames are spaced apart and occupy opposed positions at the forward end of the carrier assembly I8. These guide frames are substantially parallel and are provided with arcuate guides or grooves in the form of tracks I84 which cooperate with the pressure members 88 (see Fig. 9) to direct them into sealing contact with the tops of moving cartons I2. Toward this end each pressure member 88 is provided at its ends with a pair of op tely extending pins I88 carrying rollers I88 on their outer ends, which rollers are engaged by and confined in the grooves I84 when the pressure members 88 in their travel, reach the forward end of the conveyor I8. A pair of adjusting screws II8 (see Fig. 6) extend through threaded openings I I I provided in the upper supporting members I4 and engage the bearing blocks I88. Thus, when any existing slack in the carrier chains 14 is taken up, the guide frames I82 are simultaneously and automatically adjusted for proper cooperation with the guide pins and rollers I88, I88.

In order to support the medial portions of the conveyor chains 14 in'their endless travel, a plurality of angle pieces II2 (see Fig. 11) are supported longitudinally in the machine between tially in alignment with theupper end of the grooves I04 or tracks and thus the supporting pins and rollers I06, I08 carried by the pressure members 88 are guided into the grooves I04 as they approach the limit of their forward travel. The lower ends of the grooves I04-provided in the guide. frames I02, terminate above the level of the tops of the cartons I2 resting on the conveyor .assembly III. Thus, the pressure members 88 are maintained in elevated position above the carton tops at the commencement of their rearward travel in the carrier assembly I3. In order to prevent the pressure members 88 from immediately dropping onto the tops of the cartons at the commencement of their rearward travel, the 'lower edges of the grooves I04 terminate in downwardly inclined cam surfaces 6 upon which the pins and rollers I06, I08 are adapted to descend gradually and without acceleration. Such descent occurs due to the action of gravity exerted by the potential weight of the pressure a members 88 which are slidably guided by the carrier bars 18. It will be seen that regardless cartons introduced onto the conveyor assembly I0, the pressure members being guided by the pins and rollers I06, I08, in the groove I04, will be restricted from gravitational acceleration and 30' will descend uniformly upon an incline as determined by the inclined cam surface. H6 and come to rest on the top of the foremost carton in the machine.

The pressure members 88 are adapted to apply their weight to the tops of the cartons I2 during a major portion of the rearward travel of the cartons upon the conveyor assembly I0. As the sealed cartons emerge from the machine at the rear thereof, means are provided for ele- 40 vating the pressure members from contact with the carton tops. Toward this end a pair of opposed guide frames II8 (see Fig. 4) similar in their design to the guide frames I02, are secured to the inner opposedfaces .of the upper 45 supporting members I8. These guide frames I I8 are provided with arcuate grooves I20, the upper ends of which are substantially in alignment with the tracks I I4 and the lower ends of which terminate at points well above the tops of the i 50 cartons I2. A pair of endless chains 8, each mounted on sprockets I2 I and I23, suitably journaled in the opposed supporting members and I8 respectively on the inner sides thereof, occupy respective positions in alignment with the roll- 55 ers I08 carried by the pins l08that extendfrom opposite ends'of each pressure member 88. The rollers I08 engage these chains'IIQ as the cartons I2 pass between the same and are carried upwardly to enter the arcuate grooves I20. The 60 chains H9 are driven by a chain and sprocket I50, which sprocket is mountedon shaft III. The pressure members 88' are'thus elevated as they approach the end of. their rearward travel and the pressure applied by them to the carton 65 tops is gradually removed.

In order to effect relatively stationary con I2 when they leave the arcuate grooves I04 of the size, and particularly the height, of the,

shaft I34 is operated through a gear reduction mechanism I36 having a drive shaft I38 and imparts motion to the endless conveyor assembly I0 through a system of chain and sprocket mechanisms I40, I42. sembly I3 is driven through reversinggears' I44 and I45 having driving engagement with a chain and sprocket mechanism I48. The reversing gear I45 is mounted on a stub shaft I46 which is carried by bracket I41 on the frame member 20. The number of teeth provided on the various chain and sprocket mechanisms are calculated according to well known engineering principles so that the relative speed of the conveyor system I0 and of the carrier system I3, in actual linear travel of the moving endless parts thereof, will be equal.

It is to be noted that the adjustable pressure members 88 when in operative sealing position upon the tops of the cartons I 2, are positioned relatively close to each other. Because of this fact and because of the fact that the pressure members 88 are substantially equal in weight, equal pressure is applied to the areas of the carton tops to be sealed, regardless of the height of the cartons and regardless of their size. By the use of a variable speedmotor I30, various engineering exigencies, such as the type of adhesive employed in sealing the carton tops, the temperature and humidity of the air, and the character of the material from which the cartons are formed may be compensated for.

Modifications may be resorted. to within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

-I claim:

1. In amachine for sealing cartons or the like, means for conveying the cartons to be sealed through the machine at a predetermined rate of speed from a point of entry to a point of discharge, a plurality of pressure members mounted above said cartons and movable in the direction The endless carrier asof travel of the same, said pressure members beabove said cartons and movable in the direction of travel of the same and at the same rate of speed, said pressure members being adapted to descend into relatively stationary contact with the tops of said cartons, means adjacent said point of entry for guiding said pressure members during their descent, while at the same time preventing gravitational acceleration thereof, and guide means for removing said pressure members fromcontact with the tops adjacent said point of discharge.

3. In a machine for sealing cartons or the like, an endless conveyor assembly for conveying artons to be sealed through the machine ft m a point of entry to a point of discharge, angndless ,carrier assembly positioned above said-conveyor assembly, including a' plurality of-vertically movable pressure members, said pressure members being adapted to descend by gravity into relatively stationary contact with the tops of cartons introduced into said machine, means adjacent said point of entry for guiding said pressure members during their descent, guide means positioned adjacent said point of delivery for elevating said pressure members from contact with said carton' tops, and means for driving said endless conveyor assembly and said endless carrier assembly at the same rate of linear travel.

4. A- machine for sealing the tops of cartons or the like comprising in combination, a pair of endless carriers mounted one above the other for synchronized travel at equal rates of speed, the lowermost carrier being adapted to receive thereon cartons to be sealed for conveying them through the machine, the uppermost carrierineluding a plurality of slidable pressure members movable into and out of the plane of ,the carrier and endlessly movable with the carrier, s aid pressure members upon movement in the direction of.

travel of said cartons being adapted to move out of the plane of said carrier by gravity and rest upon the tops of said cartons to seal the same, and means for retracting said pressure members upon completion of their sealing operation for movement in the opposite direction,

5. A machine for sealing the tops of cartons or the like, comprising in combination a pair of endless carriers mounted one above the other for synchronized travel at equal rates of speed, the lowermost carrier being adapted to receive thereon cartons to be sealed for conveying them through the machine from'a point of entry to a point of discharge, the uppermost carrier including a plurality of slidable pressure members movable into and out of the plane of the carrier and endlessly movable with the carrier, said pressure member upon movement in the direction of travel of said cartons being adapted to move out of the plane of said carrier by gravity and rest upon the tops of said cartons to seal the same, means positioned adjacent said point of entry for guiding said pressure members into engagement with the tops of said cartons, and means positioned adjacent said point of discharge for moving said pressure member out of engagement with said carton tops.

6. In a machine for sealing the tops of cartons or the like, means for conveying the cartons to plane of said carrier and rest upon the tops of said moving cartons, a plurality of sprockets mounted upon a transverse shaft for supporting one end of said carrier, a pair of longitudinally adjustable bearing blocks in which the ends of said shaft are journaled, and guide 'means carried by said bearing blocks and adjustable therewith for guiding said pressure members into relatively stationarycontact with said carton tops.

ELNIER B. VOSS. 

